The Battle of Northampton

by Ellen Castelow

On 10 July 1460, a Yorkist force under the Kingmaker, Earl of Warwick approached the defensive encampment of the Lancastrian King Henry VI in the grounds of Delapré Abbey, Northampton.

Despite the large number of forces involved on either side, and in spite of the superior Lancastrian defensive position, the encounter was exceptionally short with very little bloodshed.

When Warwick’s forces reached the Lancastrian right flank, the defenders under the command of Lord Grey of Ruthin simply laid down their arms and allowed the Yorkists to enter the king’s camp.

After action lasting barely 30 minutes, King Henry was captured and several leading Lancastrian noblemen were killed.

Many foot soldiers drowned attempting to escape the overrun encampment by swimming the rain-swollen River Nene. And the reason for Lord Grey’s treachery …he had been promised Yorkist support in a property dispute that he was having!!